3 Drafting Equipment

Section 3.1
Board-Drafting
Equipment

Section 3.2
Computer-Aided Draft-
ing (CAD) Equipment

Chapter Objectives
• Identify and describe
basic board-drafting
equipment.
• Describe types of
drafting media.
• Select the appropriate
scales for architectural,
mechanical, and civil
drafting.
• Describe the com-
ponents of a CAD
workstation.
• Identify the three
main types of CAD
software.
• Describe the char-
acteristics of efficient
CAD furniture.
• Identify CAD safety
guidelines.

Applying Skill and

Patience Chadwick′s love of
furniture design comes from his
cabinetmaker grandfather who
taught him the importance of
skill, precision, and patience in
using the tools of the trade.
How do these qualities contribute
to good design?

62
Courtesy Herman Miller, Inc.
Drafting Career
Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick,
Product Designers

‶We designed the [Aeron] chair… as a metaphor

of human form,″ says Bill Stumpf. He and Don
Chadwick won the Design of the Decade (1990s)
award for their ergonomic chair, which is in the
Museum of Modern Art′s permanent collection. ‶The
only way to be sure a chair is comfortable is to actu-
ally sit in it…,″ Chadwick says.

Stumpf and Chadwick needed to develop a new

material for the Aeron because foam, traditional chair
padding, can cause skin temperatures to increase by
as much as 20%. They solved the problem by design-
ing Pellicle, a lattice-like material that promotes air
circulation and helps evenly distribute weight.

Academic Skills and Abilities

• Problem identification, formulation and
solution
• Mathematics
• Reading/language arts
• Creative thinking
• Reasoning
Career Pathways
Science clubs, Boys & Girls Clubs, and high
school technology camps are among organizations
that provide programs for high school students to
participate in hands-on science projects.

Go to glencoe.com for this book’s OLC to learn more

about Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick.

63
 3.1 Board-Drafting Equipment

Connect As a beginning drafter, you will need to purchase your tools. Which tools do
you think are important to include in your basic board drafting kit?

Content Vocabulary
• drawing • T-square • irregular • vellum • dividers
board • protractor curve • case instruments • compass
• true edge • scales • template
Academic Vocabulary
Learning these words while you read this section will also help you in your other subjects
and tests.
• media • minimal
Graphic Organizer
Use a table like the one below to organize information on various types of board-drafting
equipment discussed in this section.

Drafting Machine Drafting Media Bow Instruments

(functions) (types) (functions) Go to glencoe.com for this
book’s OLC for a downloadable
version of this graphic organizer.

Academic Standards
English Language Arts NCTE National Council of
Teachers of English
Conduct research and gather, evaluate, and synthesize data to communiate discoveries (NCTE) NCTM National Council
of Teachers of
Mathematics Mathematics

Measurement Apply appropriate techniques, tools, and formulas to determine measurements

(NCTM)

64 Chapter 3 Drafting Equipment

 that is placed on top of a desk or table. They

Courtesy of Mayline Co., Ted Mishima

Basic Board-Drafting are made so that they will not warp and so
Equipment that the guiding edge, or true edge, will stay
straight. The most basic boards usually mea-
What is a common purpose of all drafting
sure 18  24 (460  600 mm). Professional
tools?
boards are typically larger, however, and may
While sketches can show a design idea be any size needed.
in its initial develoment stages, final draw-
ings communicate technical information to T-Squares
the people who design and manufacture the A T-square is a drafting instrument made
product. They are made with drafting instru- up of a head that lines up with the true edge
ments on drafting media or using a CAD of a drafting board and a blade, or straight-
system. edge, that provides a true edge. Figure 3-2
Drafting instruments and equipment, as shows three types of T-squares. Most T-squares
well as computer-aided drafting (CAD) sys- have plastic-edged wooden blades or clear
tems, constitute the “tools of the trade” in the plastic blades with heads made of wood or
engineering, design, and drafting office. Being plastic. The most accurate ones use steel or
able to identify them is the first step in the aluminum blades with metal heads.
process of learning to use them. You can easily check the accuracy of your
T-square (see Figure 3-3 on page 66). First,
Drawing Tables and Desks on a clean sheet of paper, draw a line along
Drawing tables and desks come in many the drawing edge of the T-square. Second,
different sizes and types. Figure 3-1 shows turn the drawing sheet upside down and line
a typical drafting table. The table surface up the T-square’s drawing edge with the other
should be cleaned daily to avoid transferring side of the line. If the drawing edge and the
pencil graphite smudges onto your draw- line do not match, the T-square is not accu-
ings. Some drawing tables can be adjusted for rate and should be replaced.
either standing or sitting.

Drawing Boards
The drawing board is a large, flat board
on which you attach a drawing sheet to make Explain What is the T-square tool used for in
a drawing. A drawing board can be the sur- drafting?
face of a drafting table or a separate board

HEAD

BLADE

Figure 3-2
Figure 3-1
T-squares are available in various styles and
A typical drafting table materials.

Section 3.1 Board-Drafting Equipment 65

 Courtesy of Staedtler Inc., Courtesy of Vemco Drafting Products Corp.
AMOUNT OF
ERROR

Figure 3-5
A parallel-ruling straightedge is a convenient
Figure 3-3 instrument that can save time.
Check to see that the T-square is accurate.

80 90 I00 II
70 I00 80 7 0 I2
60 II0 0 0
60 I3
0 I 2 0
5 0 50 0
I3
I4 0 3
50 40

0
0

4
I4

I50 20
0 I 0

43°
3

0
0

I60 10 0
I0 2
I80 I70 I6

I70 I80
0

Figure 3-4 Figure 3-6

A protractor is used to measure or lay out angles. An arm- or elbow-type drafting machine

Drafting Machines
A drafting machine combines the functions
Parallel-Ruling Straightedges of the T-square, triangles, scales, and protrac-
Many drafters prefer to use a parallel-ruling tor. Scales are used to lay off and measure dis-
straightedge (see Figure 3-4). This device works tances. The drafting machine has arms that
like the T-square but is attached to the drawing move these instruments in parallel positions
board and slides up or down the board in par- to any location on the board. This lets you
allel positions. This provides a true edge any- draw faster and more easily.
where in the drawing area. Two drafting machine types are currently
used. The arm- or elbow-type (Figure 3-6)
Triangles uses an anchor and two arms to hold the pro-
Drafters use two types of triangles in com- tractor and two scales. The scales are ordinar-
bination with a T-square or parallel ruling ily at right angles to each other.
straightedge to draw lines at various angles. The track-type drafting machine (Figure 3-7)
The 45° triangle has one 90° angle and two uses a horizontal guide rail at the top of the
45° angles. The 30°-60° triangle has 30°, 60°, board and a moving arm rail at a right angle
and 90° angles. to the top rail. It is specially adapted for wide
drawings, but can also be used for regular-
Protractors sized drawings. The scales should be cleaned
A protractor is an instrument that is used with a mild soap and warm water daily. Also,
to measure or lay out angles. Figure 3-5 shows check scales regularly for accurate alignment
a semicircular protractor measuring a 43° angle. and adjust when necessary.

66 Chapter 3 Drafting Equipment

Courtesy of Vemco Drafting Products Corp., Ann Garvin, Courtesy of Staedtler Inc.

Figure 3-8
Some examples of irregular, or French,
Figure 3-7 curves
The track-type drafting machine

Figure 3-9
Flexible curves for plotting smooth curves.
Some drafters use “ducks” such as the one (the
rectangular object) shown here, to position
Figure 3-10
flexible curves accurately. Templates are made for many different uses and
save a good deal of time.

Other Basic Tools

In addition to the equipment described adjusted to complex curved paths that may be
thus far, board drafters use a variety of other difficult to draw using other types of irregular
tools, instruments, and equipment. These curves.
make up an important part of a board drafter’s
everyday tool kit. Templates
A template is a thin, plastic sheet with
Irregular Curves holes cut in the various shapes a drafter
Drafters use a tool called an irregular might need to draw. By tracing around the
curve, or French curve, to draw noncircular holes, the drafter can quickly and accurately
curves such as spirals and ellipses. These draw the shape required. Templates are avail-
devices are made of sheet plastic and come in able with basic shapes, like circles, or for spe-
different shapes, some of which are shown in cial uses, such as drawing bolt heads, nuts,
Figure 3-8. and electrical, architectural, and plumb-
Many drafters also use flexible curves such ing symbols. See Figure 3-10 for several
as those in Figure 3-9. Flexible curves can be different templates.

Section 3.1 Board-Drafting Equipment 67

 meter (1 m2). Sheet sizes are based on a
Drafting Media length-to-width ratio of 1 to the square
What qualities are important for drafting root of 2 (1:2). Each smaller size has an area
media? equal to half of the preceding size. Mul-
tiples of these sizes also are used for larger
Technical drawings are made on many
sheets.
different kinds of drawing sheets, known
as drafting media. Paper is one kind of draft-
ing medium. Drawing paper may be white,
cream, or pale green and comes in many sizes
and qualities.
Name What two organizations set the
Types of Drafting Media standards for the trimmed sizes for drafting
media?
Most drawings are made on paper, trac-
ing paper, vellum, or polyester drafting film.
Vellum is paper that has been treated to
make it more transparent. This is important Drawing Instruments
if you need to copy part of the drawing onto What types of instruments are included in
another sheet later. Polyester drafting films are a typical drafting kit?
widely used in industrial drafting rooms. They
have a matte (dull, rough) surface, are trans- Drawing instruments are needed to pro-
parent, durable, and suitable for both pencil duce accurate technical drawings. Instru-
and ink work. ments can be purchased as individual items
or in sets, also called case instruments.
Sizes of Drafting Media Figure 3-11 shows a basic set of drawing
Trimmed sizes of drafting media follow instruments. Note that many instruments
standards set by two organizations: the Amer- have pointed ends that are very sharp and
ican Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) can cause injury. They should always be care-
and the International Standards Organization fully handled and stored in their case when
(ISO). See Table 3-1 for the specifications not in use.
used by both organizations. A full set of instruments usually includes
ASME standard drawing sheet size A compasses with pen part, pencil part,
is based on the dimensions of 8.5  11 lengthening bar, dividers, bow pen, bow
(letter-sized) paper. Standard-size sheets can pencil, bow dividers, and one or two ruling
be cut from rolls of film or paper 36 or 42 pens (optional). Most drafters favor large-
wide with minimal waste. bow sets similar to the one in Figure 3-11.
The ISO standard is developed from a These are known as master, or giant, bows
base sheet with an area of about 1 square and are made in several patterns. With large
bows, 6 (152 mm) or longer, circles can be
drawn up to 13 (330 mm) in diameter or,
ASME (Inches) ISO (Millimeters) with lengthening bars, up to 40 (1016 mm)
Drawing Overall Drawing Overall Paper in diameter.
Size Paper Size Size Size
A 8.50  11.00 A0 841  1189 mm
B 11.00  17.00 A1 594  841 mm
Dividers
You can divide lines, arcs, and circles into
C 17.00  22.00 A2 420  594 mm
equal parts and transfer distances from one place
D 22.00  34.00 A3 297  420 mm to another with dividers (see Figure 3-12).
E 34.00  44.00 A4 210  297 mm Bow dividers are generally more rigid than
friction-joint dividers and are therefore more
Table 3-1 accurate. Although friction-joint dividers are
Standard drawing-sheet sizes more quickly adjusted, they are also more eas-
ily knocked out of adjustment.

68 Chapter 3 Drafting Equipment

Arnold and Brown
RULING PEN
NIB

LARGE BOW
COMPASS

SCREW
DRIVER/SPARE
SMALL BOW PARTS
COMPASS CONTAINER

EXTENSION
BEAM
DIVIDERS

Figure 3-11
A large-bow set of drawing instruments
Beam Compasses
Beam compasses like the one in Figure 3-14
(see page 70) are used to draw arcs or circles
Compasses with large radii. The beam compass has a bar,
Regular curves are curves with points that or beam, on which movable holders for a
are all exactly the same distance from a center pencil (or pen) part and a needle part can be
point. attached and fixed as far apart as desired. By
These curves can be drawn with a putting a needle point in both holders, you
compass like the ones in Figure 3-13. Bow can use a beam compass as dividers.
compasses, like bow dividers, are more rigid The usual bar or beam is about 13
than their friction-joint counterparts. Fric- (330 mm) long. However, by using a cou-
tion-joint compasses are easily knocked out pling to add extra length, you can draw cir-
of alignment. cles of larger size.

A B A B

Figure 3-12 Figure 3-13

Two types of dividers: (A) bow dividers and Two types of compasses: (A) bow compass and
(B) friction-joint dividers (B) friction-joint compass

Section 3.1 Board-Drafting Equipment 69

 Arnold and Brown
Figure 3-14
Beam compasses are used for large radii.

Bow Instruments distances, and divide a line into small

spaces.
The bow instruments include the bow pen-
cil, the bow dividers, the bow pen, and the
• Bow pen (Figure 3-15C) — to draw small
circles. It is included in a set of bow instru-
drop-spring bow compass; these are shown in
ments to offer drafters a choice of making
Figure 3-15. Bow instruments, except for the
circles or arcs in pen or pencil.
drop-spring bow compass, are available with
either a center wheel or a side wheel for mak-
• Drop-spring bow compass (Figure 3-15D) —
to draw very small circles. It is especially
ing adjustments.
useful for drawing many small circles of the
The bow instruments are easy to use and
same size, such as rivets.
are accurate for distances or radii less than
1.25" (32 mm). They hold small distances bet-
ter than the large instruments. Use them for
the following purposes:
• Bow pencil (Figure 3-15A) — to draw small Identify What tool is used to divide lines
circles. and transfer distances from one place to
• Bow dividers (Figure 3-15B) — to transfer another?
small distances, mark off a series of small

A D
B C

Figure 3-15
Bow instruments are used for drawing small circles and arcs and for stepping off short distances:
(A) bow pencil, (B) bow dividers, (C) bow pen, and (D) drop-spring bow compass.

70 Chapter 3 Drafting Equipment

 and thick you want the finished line to be. To
Drafting Pencils lay out views on drawing paper with a fairly hard
and Pens surface, use grades 4H and 6H. When you draw
finished views that are to be reproduced using
How do pencils, pens, and erasing tools
tracing paper or by machine, use an H or 2H
affect the quality of a drawing?
pencil. Grades HB, F, H, and 2H are sometimes
Several types of pencils and pens have been used for sketching and lettering and for drawing
developed specifically for drafting. The type arrowheads, symbols, border lines, and so on.
you select depends on the drawing sheet you Very hard and very soft leads are seldom used in
use and the characteristics of the line you ordinary drafting.
want to draw.
Pencils for Film
Drafting Pencils When film came into use for drawings,
Both regular wooden pencils and mechani- new pencil leads were developed. One is a
cal (stick lead) pencils are used for technical plastic pencil, like a black crayon, with lead
drawing. However, mechanical drafting pencils that is extruded, or squeezed out using a
are favored because they maintain line consis- plasticizing process. It reproduces well on
tency better than wooden pencils. Many types microfilm.
of lead are available, but graphite lead is most The second type of lead is a combina-
commonly used. tion of plastic and graphite and is made by
heating. This type stays sharp, draws a good
Grades of Graphite Sticks or Pencils opaque line, does not smear easily, erases well,
Graphite drafting pencils are made in 17 and microfilms well. It can be used on paper
degrees of hardness, or grades (see Table 3-2). as well as on film.
The pencil grade you use depends on the type The third type does not remain as sharp as
of drawing surface and the nature of the draw- the others. However, it draws a fairly opaque
ing itself. It also depends on how opaque (dark) line, erases well, does not smear easily, and
microfilms well.
These pencils are made in only five or
6B softest and blackest six grades. The companies that make them
5B extremely soft use different systems to identify the type
4B extra soft of lead and how hard it is. You will need to
3B very soft experiment with the various grades.
2B soft, plus
B soft Technical Pens
HB medium soft Technical pens contain points of various
F intermediate, between soft and hard size to draw a specific line width. Some techni-
cal pens have a refillable cartridge for storing
H medium hard
ink. Others have a cartridge that is used once
2H hard
and then replaced. The disposable technical
3H hard, plus
pen has a stainless steel point and requires
4H very hard little maintenance. Points for refillable pens
5H extra hard are made of finer materials specific to the type
6H extra hard, plus of media to be used. The three main types of
7H extremely hard points are:
8H extremely hard, plus • hard-chrome stainless steel, for use on paper
9H hardest or vellum
• tungsten-carbide, for long wear on film,
Table 3-2 vellum, and paper (most commonly used
Standard grades of drawing pencils in pen plotters)
• jewel, for long, continuous use on film

Section 3.1 Board-Drafting Equipment 71

 Complete sets of technical pens which

Courtesy of Staedtler Inc.

Lettering Guides and Equipment
include all or most of the point sizes are avail- The lettering set in Figure 3-17 has three
able. Figure 3-16 shows the range of point basic tools: a scriber, lettering templates, and
sizes of technical pens. technical pens.
Lettering templates come in many styles
Drawing Ink and lettering sizes, from about .06 to 2 (1.5
Ink used for technical drawings is called to 50 mm) high. Other templates are used to
drawing ink. It must be completely opaque to draw symbols and shapes. The width of the
produce good, uniform line tone, but also be pen point used depends on the height of the
erasable on all drafting media. letters and size of the symbols.

Erasers and Erasing Shields

.118/4×0

.25/3×0
.13/5×0

1
2

1
2
.30/00

Use soft erasers to clean soiled spots or light

.35/0

.45/1

.50/2

.70/2

.80/3

2.0/6
1.0/3

1.2/4

1.4/5
pencil marks from drawings. Rubkleen, Ruby,
and Emerald erasers are generally good for
removing pencil. On film, use a vinyl eraser
made especially for film. Electric erasing
machines may also be used.
Although drawing ink is waterproof, it can
easily be removed from polyester drafting film
using erasers made especially for that purpose.
Plastic erasers either rub away the ink line or
Figure 3-16 absorb it.
The range of lines and point sizes available in To avoid erasing nearby lines accidentally,
technical pens. most board drafters use an erasing shield. This
metal or plastic device has holes of different sizes

PEN

SCRIBER

TEMPLATE

Figure 3-17
Three basic parts of a lettering set are the pen, the template, and the scriber.

72 Chapter 3 Drafting Equipment

 FOUR BEVEL ONE BEVEL

Evaluate What determines the width of a

pen point to be used in a lettering template?
TRIANGULAR TWO BEVEL OPPOSITE BEVEL

Figure 3-18 Some scales, such as those in Figure 3-19A

Examples of the various scale shapes and B, are open divided, meaning only the
units at the end of the scale are subdivided.
Other scales are full divided, as shown in
and shapes. By positioning the shield so that the Figure 3-19C and D, with subdivisions over
part to be erased shows through one of the holes, their entire length.
you can protect other parts of the drawing.
Customary-Inch Scales
Scales Different scales are used to make differ-
ent types of drawings. The commonly used
How does a drafter represent objects that inch-based scales include the architect’s scale,
are either very large or very small? mechanical engineer’s scale, and civil engi-
neer’s scale.
Remember that scales are used to lay off
distances and to make measurements. Mea- The Architect’s Scale
surements can be full size or scaled, meaning The architect’s scale (see Figure 3-19A
they are in a specified proportion to full size. on page 74) is divided into proportional feet
Figure 3-18 shows the shapes of various scales. and inches. Many schools and some drafting

Measuring Angles Example:

For each of the three angles at right, identify A
whether they are acute, obtuse, or right.

You can measure an angle in

degrees, using your protractor. The number 90° B
of degrees in an angle will be greater than
0 and less than or equal to 180. You can
C
classify angles by their size. An acute angle LESS THAN 90°
measures less than 90°. A right angle mea-
sures 90°. An obtuse angle measures greater
than 90° and less than 180°.

MORE THAN 90°

Academic Standards
For help with this math activity, go
Mathematics to the Math Appendix located at the
back of this book.
Measurement Apply appropriate techniques, tools,
and formulas to determine measurements (NCTM)

Section 3.1 Board-Drafting Equipment 73

offices use the triangular form because it not shown, and the dimension is given as
shows many different scales, and so is versa- 3−4½.
tile. However, a flat scale can be easier to use, Proportional scales are used for drafting in
especially when only one scale is required. general and particularly for drawing buildings
See Table 3-3 for the usual proportional and making mechanical, electrical, and other
scales. engineering drawings. The proportional scale
Symbols are used to represent feet () and to which the views are drawn should be given
inches (). For example, three feet four and on the drawing.
one-half inches is written 3−4½. When If you use only one scale, you indicate this
all dimensions are in inches, the inch sym- in the title block. The title block is the area on a
bol is usually left out. Also, on architectural drawing where reference information such as
and structural drawings, the inch symbol is the drawing’s title, the name of the company

1 2 20
0 10 0
HALF SIZE (6 INCHES = 1 FOOT) FULL SIZE – 32
B

I.74

2 4 6 8 2 4 6 8 2 4 2 4 6 8 2 4 6 8 12
0 1 2 11
FULL SIZE – 50 (0.02)

3.70
C

0 1 2 3 4 21 22 23 24
HALF SIZE

Figure 3-19
Customary-inch scales: (A) Architect’s scale, open divided. The triangular form has many proportional scales.
(B) Mechanical engineer’s scale, open divided. (C) Civil engineer’s scale, divided into decimals. (D) Decimal-
inch scales are often used in drawing machine parts.

74 Chapter 3 Drafting Equipment

 Proportion Gradations Ratio • 10 parts to the inch
Full size 12 = 1−0 1:1
• 20 parts to the inch
• 30 parts to the inch
¼ size 3 = 1−0 1:4
• 40 parts to the inch
1/8 size 1½ = 1−0 1:8
• 50 parts to the inch
1/12 size 1 = 1−0 1:12 • 60 parts to the inch
1/16 size ¾ = 1−0 1:16
1/24 size ½ = 1−0 1:24 With the civil engineer’s scale, 1 inch may
1/32 size 3/8 = 1−0 1:32 stand for feet, rods, miles, and so forth. It may
also stand for quantities, time, or other units.
1/48 size ¼ = 1−0 1:48
The divisions may be single units or multiples
1/64 size 3/16 = 1−0 1:64
of 10, 100, and so on. For example, the 20-
1/96 size 1/8 = 1−0 1:96
parts-to-an-inch scale may stand for 20, 200,
1/128 size 3/32 = 1−0 1:128 or 2,000 units.
The civil engineer’s scale is used for maps
Table 3-3 and drawings of roads and other public
Proportional scales projects. It is also used when decimal-inch
divisions are needed. These uses include plot-
ting data and drawing graphic charts.
The scale used should be given on the draw-
and the drafter, and the date is shown. If differ-
ing in the following way:
ent parts of a drawing are to different scales, the
scales are given near the views in this way: • SCALE: 1  500 POUNDS
• SCALE: 1  100 FEET
• SCALE: 6  1 − 0 • SCALE: 1  500 MILES
• SCALE: 3  1 − 0 • SCALE: 1  200 POUNDS
• SCALE: 1½  1 − 0
For some uses, a graphic scale is put on a map,
drawing, or chart, as shown in Figure 3-20.

Explain How does a drafter use

The Decimal-Inch Scale
proportional scales? Like the civil engineer’s scale, the decimal-
inch scale (see Figure 3-19D) is divided into
tenths of an inch. Because many manufactur-
ers now use decimals rather than fractions
The Mechanical Engineer’s Scale (4.25 rather than 4¼), the decimal-inch scale
The mechanical engineer’s scale (Figure is used for many machine drawings.
3-19B) shows inches and fractions of an inch
divided to represent inches. The usual divi- The Metric Scale
sions are: Metric scales are divided into millimeters
• Full size–1 divided into 32nds (Figure 3-21). The usual proportional scales
• Half size–½ divided into 16ths
• Quarter size–¼ divided into 8ths
• Eighth size–1/8 divided into 4ths

These scales are used for drawing parts of 10 0 10 20 30 40 50

machines or when larger reductions in scale
SCALE OF MILES
are not needed.

The Civil Engineer’s Scale Figure 3-20

The civil engineer’s scale (Figure 3-19C) Civil engineers place graphic scales on maps to
divides inches into decimals. The usual divi- show people how to interpret them.
sions are:

Section 3.1 Board-Drafting Equipment 75

 33 3.0 shown on the drawing means that the draw-
mm ing is 10 times the actual size of the part. A
1:1 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
ratio of 1:5 on the drawing means the object
is 5 times as large as it is shown on the
drawing.
Figure 3-21
If different parts on the same drawing are
Metric scales are divided into millimeters. to different scales, the scales are specified near
the views in this way:
• SCALE: 1:2
in the metric system are listed as ratios as in
Table 3-4.
• SCALE: 1:5
The numbers shown indicate the dif-
• SCALE: 1:10
ference in size between the drawing and
• SCALE: 2:1
the actual part. For example, the ratio 10:1
• SCALE: 20:1

165 10

1:5
0 100 200 300

FIFTH SCALE

1500 100 1.80 0.05

1:50 50:1
0 1 2 3 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0

FIFTIETH SCALE FIFTY SCALE (0.05-mm DIVISIONS)

33 2.0 6.5 0.2

5:1
1:2
0 20 40 60 80 100 200 0 2 4 6 8 10 12

HALF SCALE FIVE SCALE (0.05-mm DIVISIONS)

230 10 2.6 0.1

10:1
1:2
0 200 400 600 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

TENTH SCALE TEN SCALE (0.1-mm DIVISIONS)

2.9m 0.4 16 0.5

2:1
1:2
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 0 5 10 15 20 25 30

HUNDREDTH SCALE TWO SCALE (0.5-mm DIVISIONS)

A B

Figure 3-22
Metric scales: (A) for reduction and (B) for enlargement

76 Chapter 3 Drafting Equipment

Enlarged Same Size Reduced
1000:1 1:1 1:2
500:1 1:5
200:1 1:10
100:1 1:20
50:1 1:50 SCALE: 1:1 SCALE: 2:1

20:1 1:100 A B
10:1 1:200
Figure 3-23
5:1 1:500
2:1 1:1000
A part drawn at two different scales

Table 3-4
Metric proportional scales

Notice that scales are generally given in for an example of an enlarged-scale draw-
multiples of 2 or 5. ing. In Figure 3-23A, the drawing
To reduce an object’s drawing size, use one is shown at a scale of 1:1 (same size). In
of the scales shown in Figure 3-22A. To Figure 3-23B, the same part is enlarged to
enlarge an object’s drawing, use one of the 2:1 (double size).
scales in Figure 3-22B. See Figure 3-23

Section 3.1 Assessment Drafting Practice

After You Read In Chapter 2 you learned about free-
hand sketching. The following problem is
designed to give you additional practice.
Self-Check This sketching problem is designed to fit on
1. Identify the basic equipment used in an 8.5 × 11 drawing sheet. Quarter-inch
board drafting. grid paper may be used. A straightedge may
2. List and describe various types of be used for drawing long straight lines. Do
drafting media. not add dimensions (sizes). Estimate sizes
3. Describe the different scales used for not given.
architectural, mechanical, and civil 5. Make a freehand sketch of the tic-tac-toe
drafting. board shown in Figure 3-24.

Academic Integration 5"

Mathematics
4. Draw Angles Using a Protractor
Draw an example of an acute angle, 5" 6" SQ

a right angle, and an obtuse angle.

Label each and provide the angle
measurement.

Figure 3-24

Section 3.1 Board-Drafting Equipment 77

 3.2 Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD)
Equipment

Preview It is important to have a functional work area. What would you consider if you were
told that you could design your own work space and purchase the furniture and equipment for it?

Content Vocabulary
• CPU
• CAD software
• ergonomics
Academic Vocabulary
Learning these words while you read this section will also help you in your other subjects
and tests.
• compatible
Graphic Organizer
On a chart like the one below, organize facts about safety areas to consider in the CAD
environment

Areas to Consider Go to glencoe.com for this

book’s OLC for a downloadable
Electrical version of this graphic organizer.

CAD Environment Safety

Academic Standards
English Language Arts NCTE National Council of
Teachers of English
Read text to acquire new information (NCTE) NCTM National Council
of Teachers of
Mathematics Mathematics
NSES National Science
Measurement Understand measurable attributes of objects and the units, systems, and processes Education Standards
of measurement (NCTM)

Science
Personal and Social Perspectives Environmental Quality and Human Health (NSES)

78 Chapter 3 Drafting Equipment

 because AutoCAD is not compatible with

Jeremy Gassman/Alamy
CAD Hardware the Macintosh operating system.
Equipment Monitors
What factors should you consider when
The computer monitor is the display
setting up a CAD system?
device for a CAD workstation. A CAD monitor
All CAD workstations require computer should be at least 17″, large enough to display
hardware, the equipment that comprises a drawings or parts of drawings effectively (see
computer system. Standard CAD hardware Figure 3-25.)
includes the central processing unit (CPU),
the monitor, storage devices, input devices, Resolution
and peripherals, or accessories. An output A monitor’s resolution refers to the num-
device such as a plotter or printer is an exam- ber of pixels per inch displayed on the
ple of a peripheral. screen. A pixel is a set of one red, one
blue, and one green dot. The more pixels
The CPU a monitor displays per inch, the higher the
The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is quality of the image on the screen. Keep
the “heart” of the computer. This is where in mind that as resolution increases, total
the computations which make up the “work” picture size decreases. Resolution settings
of a computer are processed. Since drafting range from 640  480 to 1600  1280 or
software requires the performance of many more, depending on the monitor. Choose a
complex calculations, a fast CPU is essential. resolution that is appropriate for the moni-
This ensures minimal wait times for the user tor size. A 17″ monitor can display a 1600
while the computer does its work.  1280 resolution, but this combination
Be sure that the computer you are consid- is usually not practical because any details
ering will run the software you will be using. become too small to see. Table 3-5 (see
If you will be using AutoCAD, for example, page 80) shows appropriate resolutions for
you should not buy a Macintosh computer various monitor sizes.

Figure 3-25
Some high-end CAD workstations have two monitors to help designers visualize the
products they are drawing.

Section 3.2 Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) Equipment 79

 Monitor Size Resolution

17 1024  768

20 1024  768 or 1600  1280

21 1024  768 or 1600  1280 Monitors and Personal

35 at least 1600  1280 Safety
The size, resolution, and refresh
Table 3-5 rate of a monitor affect the image
Monitor resolutions that is displayed. By paying attention
to these factors when selecting a
monitor, you can reduce or avoid eye
fatigue, headaches, and other health
Input Devices problems often associated with
The most common input devices for CAD computer work.
workstations are the keyboard, the mouse,
and the digitizer.
Digitizers are specialized equipment used
to convert paper drawings to digital format.
Although not every CAD workstation includes
a digitizer, many companies keep at least one
digitizer, so that drawings can be converted
as needed. These companies may leave older Identify What hardware can be used to
drawings in their paper form until revisions are input data to a CAD system?
needed. At that time, the drawings are digitized,
the revisions are made, and the drawings are
stored in their new digital format.
Before a digitizer can be used with a CAD CAD Software
system, it must be calibrated. Each digitizer Why might a CAD drafter require more
has a specific procedure for calibration, and than one CAD program?
some need to be recalibrated periodically. If
you need to use a digitizer, consult the user’s In addition to hardware, a CAD system
manual to find out how to calibrate it. require the computer programs used to create
technical drawings, or the CAD software. The
Printers and Plotters software determines a CAD system’s drafting
Laser and inkjet technologies have become capabilities, so you should select it carefully. In
the standards for printing technical drawings. industry, the software a company uses depends
They replaced pen plotters which were first used on the products or services it provides.
to print CAD drawings. Printers are available In general, there are three types of CAD
in a variety of sizes to fit most drafting needs. software:
Prices vary according to the size of the printer • general-purpose drafting software
and the quality of the images it produces. • specialty software for architectural, electri-
Before selecting a printer or plotter, con- cal, and other special drafting needs
sider how you will use it. Will you be produc- • third-party software that works with
ing mostly A- or B-size drawings, or will you general-purpose drafting software to extend
need to print E-size drawings, too? its functions
Also consider the quality level you will
need. Very accurate, high-resolution printers AutoCAD, DataCAD, and TurboCAD are
are available for the most exacting needs, but examples of common general-purpose pro-
they are very expensive. Lower-priced printers grams. These programs provide the tools
are suitable for printing proofs and for most needed to create drawings for many different
school uses. fields and applications.

80 Chapter 3 Drafting Equipment

 Specialized software is often used in fields
such as architecture, geographic informa-
The CAD Workstation
tion systems (GIS), and electronics. Examples What considerations should determine
include: your choice of computer furniture?
• Revit Architecture, for architectural There a number of issues concerning your
drafting CAD workstation.
• Pro/Engineer, for mechanical drafting
• CATIA, for aeronautical and electronic
CAD Furniture
engineering drafting
Standard drafting desks and tables are not
Third-party software works with a general- required for CAD workstations. Typical com-
use program to provide special features. Weld- puter furniture like a computer desk can usu-
ing, plant processing, and electronics are ally be used. However, you should take your
common examples of fields that commonly drafting needs into consideration before you
use third-party packages. select the furniture for your workstation. Ask
CAD utility software is another type of yourself the following questions:
third-party software. Although is not actually • Will the furniture accommodate my
CAD software, it performs special functions monitor? Make sure the part of the com-
that enable CAD files to be used for specific puter desk designed to hold the monitor is
purposes. For example, utilities are available large enough and sturdy enough to hold
to prepare CAD files for use with computer- the monitor you will use.
aided manufacturing (CAM) systems. • Will I be using a digitizer? Workstations that
include a digitizer may require additional
Maintenance and Repair table space.
Read any manuals that come with your • Where will I put the printer? The printer
equipment. Perform routine maintenance as drawers supplied with generic computer
specified and have the equipment serviced at desks are not large enough to hold printers
the intervals suggested. A decrease in com- used for large drawings. If you plan to use a
puter performance may mean that the hard- printer that can print E-size drawings, the
ware or software needs maintenance. Check printer must stand on the floor. Measure to
for indicators that the equipment is not per- make sure that the cables connecting the
forming correctly. Frayed cords should be printer to your CPU are long enough to
replaced immediately. Keep liquids and bev- reach through the computer desk to your
erages away from all computer equipment printer without straining.
to avoid accidents that could damage the • How much working surface do I need? Be sure
equipment. the computer desk provides enough desk-
To decrease the chance of equipment mal- top working space for notes, hand-drawn
function, store all equipment safely and prop- sketches, and other materials you may need.
erly when you are not using it. For example,
if you have a digitizer but use it rarely, cover Safety
it when it is not in use or disconnect it and Safety should be a primary goal when you
store it away. If you work in a dusty environ- design the workstation. There are many things
ment, keep your equipment covered when it you should know to maintain a safe CAD work
is not being used. environment.

Ergonomics
You should pay close attention to ergonom-
ics when you select hardware and furniture
for your CAD workstation. Ergonomics is a
Name What are examples of fields that
field of study in product design that promotes
commonly use third-party design software?
the personal safety and comfort of the user.

Section 3.2 Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) Equipment 81

Ergonomically designed products “fit the per- the floor without cutting off the circulation

PhotoDisc/Alamy
son” instead of requiring that the person fit in your legs.
the product. • Place the monitor at or slightly above eye
Studies have shown that improper use of level to help reduce eye fatigue.
computer equipment can cause temporary or
permanent physical injuries. Some of these Electrical Safety
injuries are: To avoid the risk of injury or electrical fire:
• musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) • Place wires and cords out of the way so that
• carpal tunnel syndrome people will not trip over them, possibly
• repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) harming themselves and/or the equipment.
• “tennis elbow” • Avoid overloading a circuit by connecting
too many electrical devices to it.
Choosing ergonomically designed prod- • Never connect a multiple-outlet extension
ucts helps to avoid these injuries. For example, cord into another multiple-outlet exten-
many different types of ergonomic keyboards sion cord.
(Figure 3-26) and mice have been developed. • Make sure that any equipment such as a
Some can be separated into two pieces CPU or printer with a cooling vent is placed
which are placed at the most comfortable spot so the vents are not blocked.
for each hand. Others are designed to keep
your hands and forearms straight. Figure 3-27 Hazardous Waste
shows the proper positioning of equipment for Some equipment used in CAD workstations
a CAD workstation: and drafting rooms either use or produce
• Select a computer desk that has an adjust- hazardous waste. For example, toner for laser
able keyboard shelf or drawer. Adjust the printers and copiers can be hazardous. Read
keyboard height so that your forearms the instructions that come with all supplies,
(elbow to wrist) are parallel with the floor. especially toners, inks, and ordinary batteries,
• Use an office chair with adjustable height to find out how to use and dispose of them
and a proper back support. Adjust the chair properly and explore recycling options in
height so that your feet rest comfortably on your community.

Figure 3-26
Many types of ergonomic keyboards have been developed.

82 Chapter 3 Drafting Equipment

 MONITOR AT OR SLIGHTLY
ABOVE EYE LEVEL

FOREARMS
PARALLEL TO
FLOOR

ADJUSTABLE
KEYBOARD SHELF

WRIST
LUMBAR SUPPORT
SUPPORT

ADJUSTABLE
CHAIR HEIGHT

FEET FLAT
ON FLOOR

Figure 3-27
Arrange your equipment to minimize stress and potential injury.

Section 3.2 Assessment Drafting Practice

After You Read 6. Make a freehand sketch of the puzzle
shown in Figure 3-28.

Self-Check
1. Describe the computer hardware com-
ponents of a CAD workstation. 3" SQ

2. Identify the three main types of CAD

software.
3. Describe the characteristics of efficient
CAD furniture. 3" SQ

4. Summarize the ergonomic and per-

sonal safety factors to be considered
when setting up a CAD workstation.

Academic Integration
English Language Arts Figure 3-28
5. Create a Presentation Organize your
notes from this section and create a
poster or PowerPoint presentation that Go to glencoe.com for this
illustrates your understanding of the book’s OLC for help with this
CAD components and the importance drafting practice.
of ergonomics when working at a CAD
station.

Section 3.2 Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) Equipment 83

 3 Review and Assessment
Chapter Summary
Section 3.1 Section 3.2
• Basic board-drafting equipment includes • The hardware for a computer worksta-
drawing tables or desks, drawing boards, tion includes a CPU, at least one monitor,
and various instruments that improve input devices, and a printer.
accuracy, such as T-squares and triangles. • CAD software is a computer program that
• Standard drawing sheet sizes are speci- allows drafters to create technical draw-
fied by the American National Standards ings using a computer.
Institute (ANSI) and the International • Before purchasing CAD furniture, you
Standards Organization (ISO). should consider how well the furniture
• Technical drawings can be made on vel- meets your individual drafting needs.
lum or polyester film (board drafting) or • Drafters should take ergonomic and safety
using computer software. into account when considering CAD
• Drawing instruments include the divid- hardware and furniture.
ers, compass, beam compass, and bow
instruments.
• Board drafters use various drafting pen-
cils and technical pens to create accurate
technical drawings.
• Scales are used to lay off distances and to
make measurements.

Review Content Vocabulary and Academic Vocabulary

1. Use each of these content and academic vocabulary words in a sentence or drawing.
Content Vocabulary • template (p. 67) • CAD software (p. 80)
• drawing board (p. 65) • vellum (p. 68) • ergonomics (p. 81)
• true edge (p. 65) • case instruments (p. 68) Academic Vocabulary
• T-square (p. 65) • dividers (p. 68) • media (p. 65)
• protractor (p. 66) • compass (p. 69) • minimal (p. 68)
• scales (p. 66) • CPU (p. 79) • compatible (p. 79)
• irregular curve (p. 67)

Review Key Concepts

2. Identify and describe the basic equipment used in board drafting.
3. List and describe various types of drafting media.
4. Describe the different scales used for architectural, mechanical, and civil drafting.
5. Describe the components of a CAD workstation.
6. Identify the three main types of CAD software.
7. Describe the characteristics of efficient CAD furniture.
8. Identify safety issues that should be addressed when setting up a CAD workstation.

84 Chapter 3 Drafting Equipment

 Science
9. Managing Human-Induced Hazards Prep
CAD workstations can produce hazardous
Multiple Choice Questions For
Directions Choose the letter
waste that can affect personal and commu-
of the best answer. Write the
nity health if handled improperly. What pre-
letter for the answer on a
cautions should you take when disposing of
separate piece of paper.
hazardous materials? Create a poster for your
12. Standard drawing sheet sizes are
classroom that details how to correctly dis-
specified by.
pose of hazardous materials such as ink car-
A. The American Society of
tridges, paint, and batteries.
Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
B. The International Standards
Organization (ISO)
C. Both ASME and ISO
10. Critical Thinking D. Neither ASME nor ISO
Bill Stumpf, recipient of the Lifetime
Achievement Award from the Industrial TEST-TAKING TIP
Design Society of America, said good design Evaluate your test-taking savvy by answer-
isn′t just good business, it is a moral obliga- ing these questions:
tion. When he looked around, though, he said • Do I use my time well during a test?
that too often he saw design that ‶denies the • Does anxiety get in the way of doing
human spirit″ because architecture acknowl- my best on a test?
edges money, not people. What do you think • How can I prepare for my next test?
he meant by this statement? Write a one-page
essay on what you think Stumpf meant by
these remarks.

Win
Mathematics Competitive
11. Calculate Percentage
When shopping for a case of drawing instru- Events
ments, you find one that suits your needs costs 13. Job Skills
$50. Another case with a few more instruments Organizations such as SkillsUSA offer a
costs $65. Describe the difference between the variety of architectural, career, and draft-
two prices using a percentage. ing competitions. Completing activities
such as the one below will help you pre-
Number and Operations: pare for these events.
Percents Activity Scan newspaper or online job
To describe how much more the $65 case listings for an entry-level drafting job. Use
costs, create a fraction using the difference the ad to outline the skills needed to qual-
in price as the numerator and the cost of the ify for the position. Then, summarize in a
less expensive case as the denominator. To one-page paper which skills you currently
convert the fraction to a percent, divide the have and which you would need to fur-
numerator by the denominator and multiply ther develop to qualify for the position.
the product by 100.
Go to glencoe.com for this book’s
OLC for more information about
competitive events.

Review and Assessment 85

 3 Problems
Drafting Problems
In Chapter 2 you learned about freehand sketching. The following problems are designed to
give you additional practice. Each of these sketching problems is designed to fit on an 8.5″  11″
drawing sheet. Quarter-inch grid paper may be used. A straightedge may be used for drawing
long straight lines. Do not add dimensions (sizes). Estimate sizes not given.

1. Make a freehand sketch of the identifica- 2. Make a freehand sketch of the inlay shown
tion plate shown in Figure 3-29. Care- in Figure 3-30.
fully letter in your own name.
7"

4"
1"
2"

3"
4"
Figure 3-30
Figure 3-29

3. Make a freehand sketch of the bicycle chain link shown in Figure 3-31. Use quarter-inch grid
paper if available.

1" DIAMETER 2.5" DIAMETER

3"

Figure 3-31

86 Chapter 3 Drafting Equipment

Design Problems
Design problems have been prepared to challenge individual students or
teams of students. Complete all of the problems using freehand sketching
techniques. Note to CAD students: After you have studied Chapters 4 and 5,
return to the problems in this chapter, complete them using CAD techniques,
and compare the advantages and disadvantages of using each method. Be cre-
ative and have fun!

1. Redesign the digital clock shown in 3. Design a carton (package) for the scooter
Figure 3-32. Give special attention you designed in the previous problem.
to the design of the base. Materials: It should be lightweight, yet durable
optional. Prepare a three-view sketch enough to protect the scooter during
of your design idea and use overlays to shipping. Work along with the design
refine the design. Make an oblique or team so that package design is complete
isometric pictorial sketch of your final when the scooter design is complete.
design. Keep both function and aesthet- 4. Design a nameplate for your desk. The
ics in mind as you proceed. base is to be made of walnut wood. Your
name is to be engraved on a 1  5 brass
plate attached to the wooden base. Make
a freehand sketch of the parts. Estimate

9:14 all sizes.

Teamwork
Figure 3-32
5. Design a sign for your drafting-room
door. It should not be larger than 8 
22. Material optional. The lettering,
Teamwork DRAFTING ROOM, can be painted on, or
2. Work as a team to design a scooter that metal letters can be purchased.
could be manufactured and sold by your
Teamwork
technology club. Apply the eight steps
generally used in the traditional (linear) Design an ergonomic CAD workstation.
design process. Choose one member of
6.
Keep in mind all of the ergonomic prin-
your team to serve as the design engi- ciples discussed in this chapter. Be ready
neer. List each step and describe how it to present your design to the class for
would apply to the design of the scooter. discussion and approval.
Be sure to document each step as you
proceed.
Give every consideration to both func-
tion and aesthetics. Design the scooter
to fold for easy carrying. Specify light-
weight materials. Your final project
should include sketches of the product
design, general specifications on materi-
als and stock parts, and documentation
on the design process.

Problems 87